Coin controlled vending machine



' July 23, 1935. w. H. ROWE 9 I COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE FiledDec. 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

July 23, 1935. w E 2,008,926

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I il I i .20: I, I} I I 1 IOR.

WILLIAM H. ROWE.

J y 1935' w. H. ROWE 2,008,926

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I "1111. 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 I mvioR. WILLIHM H.Rows.

22 I ll/ln [II/III]. l lllll/n I8 ATTORNEY.

Patented Jul '23, 1935 PATENT OFFICE COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINEWilliam H. Rowe, New York, N. Y.

Application December 23, 1933, Serial No. 703,708

This invention relates to improvements in coin controlled vendingmachines.

The general object of this invention is to provide an improved coincontrolled delivery mechanism for vending machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for lockingthe delivery plungers of a vending machine against actuation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coin controlledvending machine including a plurality of novel delivery plungers whichare locked against operation by a common means and wherein when thelocking means is released only one of the delivery plungers may be op-.erated. 1

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vending machineincluding novel coin actuated means for releasing the delivery plungersand means whereby coins may be returned to .20 the operator afteractuating the plunger releasing means and before the delivery plunger isoperated.

Other objects and ,the advantages of this invention will be apparentfromthe following de- 35 scription taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary cross section of my improved vending machinetaken on line Il of Fig. 4; y

30 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of a portion of the vending machine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line 3.1 44 of Fig. l;

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing different positions of thevarious parts;

49 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4

showing the coin return mechanism in a' different position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 88 of Fig. 4; and,

45 Fig. 9is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

This invention is an improvement over that shown in application SerialNo. 623,991, filed July 22, 1932, by W. L. Gilchrist.

50 Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated avending machine embodying the features of my invention generally at 10.As shown this vending machine includes a housing i2 having a pluralityof vertical hoppers l3 therein in whicharticles such as pack- Gil 3Claims. (Cl. 312-67) 'ages ll of cigarettes are positioned and adjacentone end of the vending machine a smaller hopper I5 is provided in whichboxes l6 of matches are positioned.

For removing the packages of merchandise 5 from the'hoppers i3 I providedelivery plungers I! which are mounted in a frame I 8 positioned in thehousing i 2 and for removing the merchandise from the hopper I5 Iprovide a delivery plunger l9 also mounted in the frame l8. Each of the10 plungers l1 and the plunger l9 include a shank 29 which is positionedin a transverse groove 2| provided in the upper face of the frame I 8.

The frame I8 is provided with a cover member I 22 which is positionedover the plunger shanks 15 20. The forward end of each of the plungershanks is provided with an. enlarged head 23 which extends out of thehousing 12 through an aperture 24 provided in the frontwall thereof. Theplunger shank 29 extends rearwardly beyond 2i) p the rear face of theframe l8 and adjacent the rear of the plunger shank I provide anupstanding portion 25 which supports a horizontal platform portion 26which extends forwardly therefrom. 25

In the initial position of the plunger H the platform portion 26 ispositioned directly below the merchandise in the associatedhopper andthe lower package of merchandise is supported on the platform 26 (seeFig. 5). In one side and adjacent the bottom of the plunger shankportion which extends towards the rear of the frame I8 I provide aplurality of saw-toothed notches 21. Adjacent the rear of the plungershank I provide a recessed portion 28 and adjacent the rear face of theframe I8 I provide a recessed portion 29 in the plunger shank 20. Therecessed portions 28 and 29 are of greater depth than the height of thesaw-toothed'notches 2i.

Extending rearwardlyfrom the frame l8 adjacent each of the deliveryplungers I provide a pair of spaced lugs 39 (see Figs. 2 and 5). Theadjacent faces of each pair of the lugs 39 are provided with a recessedbearing portion 3|.

. Positioned between each pair of the lugs 30 I provide a locking dogmember 32 which includes opposed pivot bosses 33 which are positioned inthe bearing recesses 30 of the lugs 30. Extending upward from the pivotbosses 33 the dog 32 includes a tapered portion 34 which in the initialposition of its associated plunger is positioned in the recess 29 of theplunger. For resiliently urging the portion 34 of the dog 32 forwardly Iprovide a coiled spring 35, one end of which, is connected to the dog asat 36 and the opposite the lower end of the hopper (see Fig. 2).

end of which is anchored to the frame l8 as at 31. The dog 32 isprovided with limiting lugs 32 on each face.

When the delivery plunger is moved forwardly the portion 34 is tiltedforwardly by the sides of the saw-toothed notches 21 and does not againassume its initial position until the plunger has been moved forwardly asufficient distance to move the plunger platform 26 completely out fromunder the merchandise in its associated hopper. Thus should the operatortry to move the plunger rearwardly before completing the forwardmovement of the plunger the upper end of the dog 32 will wedge in one ofthe saw-toothed notches 21 and prevent rearward movement of the plunger.Similarly, when the delivery plunger is being moved rearwardly from itsforward position the dog 32 will prevent forward movement of the plungeruntil the plunger has been returned to its initial position and theupper end of the dog enters the recess 29.

When the plunger platform 26 is moved from under the merchandise in itsassociated hopper all of the merchandise in the hopper moves down wardlyand the lowermost package rests on a pair of inwardly extending sideflanges 38 provided at When the delivery plunger is moved rearwardly therear of the platform engages the front of the lowermost package oi:merchandise and moves it rearwardly out of the hopper through anaperture 39 provided in the rear wall of the hopper, and oil. theflanges iiil. whereupon the package of merchanclise is directed to thecustomer in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Below and to the rear of the hoppers it and 55 I provide a rod (iiiwhich is pivotally mounted in bearings ll on the side walls of thehousing it. Mounted on the rod lil and suitably secured thereto Iprovide a tray member 32 In its initial position the tray 42 is inclinedforwardly and downwardly from the rod it and adjacent its lower endrests on the upper portion of a delivery chute t3. Adjacent one end ofthe rod 40 I secure an upstanding arm 34. v v

Adjacent the front of the frame I8 I provide an elongated U-shapedoperating member 45 which extends at right angles to the deliveryplungers. The operating member 55 is. pivotally mounted on and dependsfrom a rod 46 which extends at right angles to the delivery plungers andis supported by a plurality of bosses 41 integral with the frame l8.

Pivotally mounted on the rod 46 adjacent each of the delivery plungers Iprovide an actuating dog member 48. The lower portion of each of thedogs 48 engages the front portion of the member 45 and above the rod 46the dog includes a finger portion 49 which extends to a recess 50provided in the shank 23 of its associated delivery plunger.

Pivotally connected at one end to one of the side members of theU-shaped actuating member 45 I provide a rod the opposite end of whichis pivotally connected to the arm 44 on the rod 40. Thus when one of thedelivery plungers is 1 moved forwardly it swings the lower end of itsassociated dog 48 rearwardly which in turn swings the member 45rearwardly thereby moving the rod 5| rearwardly which in turn swings thearm 44 rearwardly thereby rocking the rod 40. As the rod 40 is thusrocked the tray 42 swings up- I wa'rdly to a substantially horizontalposition as vents a dishonest operator from inserting a wire upwardthrough the delivery chute and working packages of merchandise out ofthe hopper while its associated delivery plunger is in a forwardposition.

Adjacent the rear of the hoppers I provide a rod 52 which is pivotallymounted in brackets 53 secured to lugs 54 extending from the sides ofthe housing I2. Mounted on the rod 52 and suitably secured thereto Iprovide a depending apron member 55whichextends across the apertures 39in the merchandise hoppers. At one end the rod 52 includes an upstandingportion 56 to which one end of a coiled spring 51 is connected, theopposite end of the spring being anchored 'to a portion of the bracket53 (see Fig. 5). To limit the rearward movement of theportion 56 of therod 52 I provide a stop pin 59 on the bracket 53. The apron 55 alsohelps to prevent a dishonest operator from inserting a wire up throughthe delivery chute 43 and working packages of merchandise out of thehopper.

When a package of merchandise is moved rearwardly by its associateddelivery plunger as previously' described the package engages the apron55 and upon continued rearward movementswings the apron 55 upwardagainst the action of the spring 5?. When the package movescompletelyoff the supporting flanges 38 the spring 57 through the mediumof the apron 55 forces the package downward onto the tray 42 from whichit slides into the delivery chute 33 which guides the package to a,position wherein it is accessible from the exterior of the vendingmachine.

Intermediate the width of the platforms 26.

of the delivery plungers ii I provide a slot iii which extends from thefront face thereof rearwardly a predetermined distance. Positioned inthe slot 59 I provide a bar member 69 which is pivoted intermediate'itslength to the platform as indicated at 62 in Fig. 5. Adjacent theforward end of the bar M. I provide an enlarged head portion 63 whichincludes an undercut portion 66 having an upper surface 65 and a stopface 66. The portion of the bar GI forward of the pivot 62 is heavierthan the portion thereof in the rear of the pivot so that when nomerchandise is supported on the platform 25 the forward portion of thebar M tilts downward as indicated bythe broken lines in Fig. 5.

When the bar BI is thus tilted downward the of the cover and preventfurther forward move ment of the plunger. The distance the plunger movesto bring the stop face 66 of the bar Bl into engagement with the cover22 is such that the dog 32 retains its position in the recess 29.

When a package of merchandise is supported on the platform 26 the weightof the package retains the bar Bl in a horizontal position as shown infull lines in Fig. 5. When the bar 8| is in a horizontal position thestop face 66 thereof is above the upper surface of the cover plate 22and the delivery plunger can be moved forwardly. When the platform ismoved out from under the merchandise the forward end of the bar 6| beingheavier than the rear portion thereof moves.downwardly into engagementwith the hoppers I3.

out from under the packages thereabove all the packages in the hoppermove downward and.

the new lowermost package engages the rear portion of the bar 6| andmoves it downward thereby swinging the head 63 of the bar upward to aposition wherein the stop face 66 of the bar is above the upper surfaceof the cover 22.

Adjacent the rear of the frame I8 and in the upper surface thereof Iprovide a longitudinally extending recess 61 the bottom surface of whichis flush with the upper surface of the shanks 28 of the deliveryplungers I1. The recess 61 terminates in an end wall 68 before itreaches the delivery plunger I8 which is associated with the matchhopper I5. The end wall 68 is in line with the left, hand face of thelast delivery plunger l1 associated with the cigarette The opposite endof the recess 61 opens into an enlarged recess 68 provided in the uppersurface of the frame I8.

Positioned in the recess 81 I provide a plurality of bars 18 and a bar1| which are adapted to have longitudinal movement in the recess 61.''The bars 18 are of such a'length that in their initial position whenthe left hand bar 18 engages the stop wall 68 the abutting faces of thebars 18 are in line with the left hand sides of the shanks 28 of theplungers (see Fig. 4). The rear left hand corners of the bars 18 and ofthe bar H are rounded by providing annular bearing members 12 cast intothe bars 18 and H. The members 12 are made of a metal of greaterhardness than the material of which the bars are made. Furthermore therear right hand corners of the bars 18 are cut at an angle as indicatedat 13.

Extending upwardly from. the upper surface of the shanks 28 of each oftheplungers I provide a raised cam portion 14,. The forward end of eachof the raised cam'portions terminates in a point 15 which is in linewith the left hand sides of the plunger shanks 28 and curves towards theright where it merges into a tapered surface 16 which extends'rearwardly a predete mined distance to the right hand side of theplunger shank. When the plungers are in their initial positions the campoints 15 are approximately flush with the rear wall of the recess 61 inthe frame I8.

When one ,of the plungers I1 is moved forward the cam point 15 thereofmoves into engagement with the adjacent bearing member 12 of one of thebars 18. Upon further forward movement of the plunger the raised camportion 14 thereof moves the bar 18 whichit engages towards the rightwhereupon all the bars 18 at the right thereof move to the right and inturn move the bar TI to the right. When the bars 18 to the right of theoperated plunger are thus moved they extend across the recesses 2I inthe frame I8 whereupon should one of the plungers I1 to the right of theoperated plunger be moved forward the cam point 15 thereof will engagethe rear face of one of the bars 18 and prevent movement of the plunger.Should one of the plungers to the left of the operated plunger be movedforward the raised cam portion 18 thereof will en-.

gage the annular bearing portion 12 of one of the bars in and becomewedged thereagainst. This is due to the fact that the right hand end ofthe bar i8 which is at the left of the operated plunger engages the leftface of the raised portion of the operated plunger thereby preventingmovement of all the bars 18 at the left of the operated plunger.

When the operated plunger is returned to its initial position the bars18 to the right thereof and the bar 1! are returned to their initialposition as will be described hereinafter.

Spaced from the bar 1| and at right angles thereto I provide a lock bar11 which is positioned in a groove 18 provided in the frame I8. The lockbar 18 extends rearwardly from the frame I6 and is further supported bya bracket 18 which is integral with the frame I8.

Intermediate-the bar 1I andthe bar 11 I provide a crank member 88 whichincludes a pair of arms 8I and 82 arranged at approximately right anglesto each other. Adjacent the juncture of the arms 8| and 82 the crankmember 88 is pivoted on the frame I8 as indicated at 88. Adjacent theend thereof the arm 8| includes a protruding annular bearingportion 84whichengages a bearing block 86 inserted in the end face of the normallypositioned in recess 89 provided in the end of the crank arm I. Belowand adjacent the pivot 81 the dog includes a cam face 88 and to theright of the pivot the dog includes a depending finger portion 9| whichextends below the cam face 88. One end of a coiled spring 82 isconnected ,to the crank arm 82 as at 9 3 and the opposite end of thespring is connected to the dog 86 as at 8!. At the right end of the bar1| I provide a forwardly extending arm 95 adjacent the forward end ofwhich I -provide a dog member 86. At one end the dog 86 includes anannular bearing portion 81 which is journaled in a suitable socket 88provided in the arm 95 of the bar 1I. Adjacent the opposite end the dog86 includes an inclined cam face 99 which normally engages the cam face88 of the dog 86. Intermediate its length the dog 86 includes aforwardly extending arm I88 which has one end of a coiled spring I8Isecured thereto the opposite end of the spring I M being anchored to theframe I8, as indicated at I82.

Rearward movement of the bar 11 is normally prevented by a pivotedlocking dog I83 (Fig. 1)

which is normally positioned in aslot I84 provided properly operated thelever I85 has raised the dog I83 out of the slot I84 of the lock bar 11and a delivery plunger I1 is moved forwardly and moves the bars 18 andthe bar H to the right the bar 1I swings the crank member 88 about itspivot 63 and moves the lock bar 11 rearward As the crank arm 80 swingstowards the dog 86 the end of the dog arm 88 would engagethe end-of thecrank member but at the same time the dog member 86 moves to the rightand the free end thereof engages the finger 9| of the dog 86 and swingsthe end 88 thereof out of the way of the crank arm 83, as shown in Fig.6, whereupon the bar II is free to continue its movement to the right.

When the operated delivery plunger I1 is returned to its initialposition a suitable means which will be described hereinafter, moves thelock bar I? forward which through the medium of the crank member 80moves the bar II and the bars I0 to the left to their initial positions.When the bar II again reaches its initial forward position the lock dogI03 again prevents rearward movement thereof until the coin releasemechanism is again properly operated.

The dog 88 is an auxiliary lock member which, should the lock bar TI lagin its return movement to its initial position, will prevent movement ofthe bar II to the right. Upon a lagging return of the bar TI to itsinitial position the spring IIII will swing the free end of the dog 96upward against a shoulder I01 provided on the forward face of the dog 86which will prevent movement of the bar III to the right.

This lagging movement of thebar II will perhaps only occur when adishonest operator after moving one of the plungers I'I forward graspsanother plunger I1 and moves the cam point I thereof into engagementwith the rear face of the adjacent bar "I0 and prevent movement of thebars I0 and then as he returns the operated plunger to its initialposition trys to let the bars I0 slowly return towards their initialposition by' partially releasing the pressure of the other plunger onthe bar I0 and then trying to slip the.

other plunger in between two of the bars I0 before they are fullyreturned to their initial positions.

The coin actuated mechanism I00 includes a coin chute I08 which ispivoted thereto as at I09. The coins after actuating the mechanism I06enter the coin chute I08 and come to rest on a coin tray I I0 which ispivotally secured as at II2 to the underside of the bracket I8. A pin II3 extending downward from the bottom of the bar 11 is positioned in aslot H4 in the tray 0. Upon rearward movement of the bar II the pinII3swings the coin tray I I0 about its pivot I I2 thereby moving it fromunder the coin chute I08 whereupon the coins fall into a coin chute II!which conveys the coins to a suitable coin receiver.

Positioned forward of the coin chute H5 I pro- I vide a coin chute IIGwhich is adapted to direct coins out of the housing I2 to a coinreceiver II! from which the operator may remove them.

To swing the coin chute I08 about its pivot to 'direct the coinstherefrom into the coin chute H6 I provide an operating bar H8 which isslidable in slots H9 and I20 provided in the frame I8. The forward endof the bar H8 is provided with an enlarged head I2I which extends out ofthe housing I2 through an aperture I22 provided in the front wallthereof; The bar II8 extends rearwardly from the frame I8 and issupported on the bracket 19. Adjacent its rear end the bar H8 includes alug I23 which extends from the side thereof and engages the end of arearwardly extending cam portion I24 on the coin chute I08. Projectingdownwardly from the lock bar I1 I provide a finger portion I25 andprojecting downwardly from the bar II 8 I provide a similar finger I26.

A coiled spring I2! having one end secured to the finger I25 and theopposite end secured to the pin I26 resiliently urges the bar 1! forwardand the bar II8 rearwardly. The spring I2! returns the bar 11 to itsinitial position after it has been moved rearwardly, as previouslydescribed.

and thence to the receiver III.

' '11 an operator desires to have his coins returned to him afterdepositing them inthe vending machine he may do so before operating oneof the delivery plungers I I by moving the bar I I8 forwardly. When thebar H8 is moved forward the lug I23 thereon engages the cam member I24on the coin chute I08 and swings the lower end of the coin chute I08forward to the broken line position shown in Fig. 1. When the coin chuteI08 is in this position the coins therein roll out of the chute I08 intothe return chute IIS When'the operator releases the bar II8 the coiledspring I21 moves it rearwardly to its initial position whereupon theweight of the coin chute I08 swings it about its pivot to its initialposition.

In a raised portion I28 of the bracket I9 and adjacent the rear thereofI provide a recess I29 in which a disk I 30 is positioned. In the bar I!I provide a recess I3I and in the bar I I8 I provide a similar recessI32. When the bars TI. and H8 are in their initial positions therecesses I3I and I32 are positioned one on each side of the recess I29in the raised portion I 28 of the bracket I9. The ends of the recessesI3I and I32 are preferably bevelled as shown.

The diameter of the disk I30 equals the width of the raised portion I28of the bracket I9 plus the width of one of the bars II or I I8. When thebar- 11 is moved rearwardly the disk I30 is moved into the recess I 32of the bar II8 thereby preventing movement of the bar H8 and when thebar H8 is moved forwardly the disk I30 is moved into the recess I3I ofthe bar I1 thereby preventing movement of the bar 11. Thus when one ofthe bars II or H8 is operated the other cannot be operated.

For controlling the operation' of the matchdelivery plunger I9 I providea pair of spaced bars I33 and I34 which are slidably mounted in recessesI35 and I36 respectively provided in the frame I8. The bars I33 and I34extend rearwardly from the frame I8 where they are supported by abracket I31 integral with the frame I8. The bars I33 and I34 eachinclude stop shoulders I38 protruding from opposite sides thereof whichnormally engage the rear faces of raisedportions I39 provided adjacentthe rear of the bracket I31. Extending downwardly from each of the barsI33 and I34 I provide fingers I40 Each of the fingers I 40 haveoneprovide a lug I43 having a downwardly and rearwardly curved surfaceI44. Spaced rearwardly from the lug I43 on the bar I33 I provide a lugI45 on the side of the bar I34 facing the bar I33.

The lugs I43 and I45 in combination with the adjacent sides of the barsI33 and. I34 form a coin slot I46 in which a one cent coin is adapted tobe inserted and the curved portion I44 of the lug I43 forms a supportingportion to retain the coin in the coin slot I46. For delivering a cointo the coin slot I46 I have shown a coin chute I4'I, the lower end ofwhich is positioned directly above the coin slot I46 and the upperportion of which extends to a suitable point where a coin may beinserted thereinto from the exterior of the housing I2.

The forward end of the bar I 33 is bevelled to forma cam surface I48 andtheforward endof the bar I34 is similarly bevelled to form a cam surfaceI49. Normally the camsurface I48 of the bar I33 is positioned at therear of the cam surface I49 of the bar I34 as shown in Fig. 4.

For moving the bars I33 and I34 rearwardly I provide an arm I 50 whichis pivotally mounted as at I5I to the frame I8. The end of 'the arm I50opposite the pivot I5I includes an enlarged head I52 which includes anarcuate cam surface I53 lever I58 which is pivoted adjacent one end'thereof as at I59 on the frame I 8. The lever I59 includes a curvedsurface I60 which curves across the path of movement of the deliveryplunger I9 and terminates in a rounded end portion I5I. Opposite thecurved surface I60 the lever includes an inclined cam face I62. Thecorner of the head I52 of the arm I50 at the juncture of the faces I53and I54 normally engages the cam face I52 of the lever I58 as shown inFig. 4.

When a one cent coin is inserted in the coin chute I4? it is conveyedthereby to the coin slot I45 formed by the bars I33 and I3 5. When acoin is thus deposited in the coin slot I46 the operator moves thedelivery plunger I9 forward whereupon the raised portion Id of thedelivery plunger engages the curved surface I60 of the lever I58 andswings the cam face I52 of the lever towards the bars I 33 andl34.Whereupon the cam face I52 of the lever I58 swings the head I52 of thearm I58 towards the bars I33 and I 34.

As the arm I50 is thus moved the cam surface I53 thereof engages the camsurface I48 of the bar I33 and moves the bar I 33 rearward. As the barI33 is thus moved the coin in the coin slot I45 being in engagement withthe lug I43 of the bar I33 and the lug I45 of the bar I 34 moves the barI34 rearwardly.

As the lever 'I 58 continues to move the arm I 50 towards the bar I34the cam face I53 of the arm I 50 moves into engagement with the cam faceI49 of the bar I34 whereupon the bar I33 ceases to move rearwardly. Uponcontinued movement of the arm I50 the cam surface I53 thereof moves thebar I34 rearwardly a distance sufliciently to move the lug I45 thereon asuflicient' distance from the lower end of the curved portion I44 of thelug I43 on the bar I 33 to allow the coin in the coin-slot I46 to falltherefrom as shown in Fig. 8. Whereupon the coin falls into a coin chuteI54 which conveys the coin to a. suitable receiver (not shown).

When the delivery plunger I9 is moved rear-- wardly to its initialposition the coiled spring I55 returns the arm I50 to its initialposition and the arm I50 returns the lever I58 vto its initialposition.- At the same time the springs I return the bars I33 and I 34to their initial positions.

I When the delivery plunger I9 is moved forwardly' without a coin beingpositioned in the coin slot I 45 of the bars I33 and I 34 the operatinglever I58 swings the arm I50 towards the bars I33 and I34 and moves thebar I33 rearwardly as previously described. But as no coin is positionedin the coin slot I46 the bar I34 is not moved rearwardly and as the armI50 continues to move towards the bar I34 it engages the side of the barI34 which prevents further movement of the arm I50 and the lever I58 andas the point i the raised portion 14 on the plunger I9 has not passedoff of the curved portion I50'of the lever I58 further forward movementof the delivery plunger I9 is impossible.

From theforegoing description it will be apparent that I have provided anovel vending machine mechanisni which is economical in construction andhighly efficient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers adapted to receivepackages of merchandise therein, a plurality of delivery plungersmovable in said vending machine and positioned one below each of saidhoppers, said plungers being adapted to expel a package from saidhoppers, a

delivery chute positioned below said hoppers and having an entrance endinto which packages expelled from said hoppers may fall, a tray memberadjacent saidchute entrance and adjacent the rear of said hoppers andpositioned below said hoppers, said tray member being pivotallymountedand being normally inclineddownward from its pivot towards saidchute entrance, an operating arm connected to said tray, a U -shaped barpositioned below said plungers and extending at right angles thereto,the arms of said U-shaped bar being'pivotally suppofied, a rodconnecting said tray arm and said U-shaped bar, and means whereby uponmovement of one of said plungers in a predetermined direction saidU-shaped bar will be rocked and said tray arm will swing said trayupward.

2. In a vending machine; a plurality of hoppers adapted to receivepackages of merchandise therein, a plurality of delivery piungersmovable in said vending machine and positioned one below each of saidhoppers, said plungers being adapted to expel a package from saidhoppers, a delivery chute positioned below said hoppers and having anentrance end into which packages expelled from said hoppers may fall, atray member adjacent said chute entrance and adjacent the rear of saidhoppers and positioned below said hoppers, said tray member beingpivotally mounted, an operating arm connected to said tray, 3. U- shapedbar pivotally supported below said plungers, a rod connecting said trayarm and said U- shaped bar, a finger member adjacent said plungers, saidfinger being pivotally mounted intermediate its length, a recess in thelower surface of a plunger, the upper end of said finger beingpositioned in said plunger recess and the lower ends of said fingerengaging one side of the longitudinal portion of said U-shaped barwhereby upon movement of said plunger said finger will be rocked andwill in turn rock said U-shaped bar which through the medium of the saidrod' and said tray arm will swing said tray upward.

3. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers adapted to receivepackages of merchandise therein, a plurality of delivery plungersmovable in said vending machine and positioned one below each of saidhoppers, said plungersbeing adapted to expel a package from saidhoppers,.

an apron pivotally mounted in the rear of said hoppers, said apronincluding a portion in the path of movement of an article in thehoppers, a delivery chute positioned below said hoppers and having anentrance end into which packages expelled from said hoppers may fall, atray member adjacent said chute entrance and adjacent the rear of saidhoppers and positioned below said hoppers, said tray member beingpivotally from its pivot towards said chute entrance, an

operating arm connected to said tray, a U-shaped bar positioned below'said plungers and extending at right angles thereto, the arins of saidU.-shaped bar being pivotally'supported, a rod connecting said tray armand saidlg-shaped bar, a. finger member adjacent each of said plunger-ssaid fingers being pivotally mounted intermediate their length belowsaid plungers, a recess in the lower surface of each of said plungers,the upper end of said fingers being positioned in said plunger recessesand the lower ends of said fingers engaging one side 01' thelongitudinal portion of said U-shaped bar whereby upon movement of oneof said plungers in a predetermined direction said associated fingerwill berocked and will in turn rock said U-shaped bar which through the

